The exercise began with an evacuation problem rather than a battle.
Colored smoke blocked the residential gate. Coordinators divided families among two maintenance passages while engineers monitored airflow. Redoubt soldiers protected the buildings where the passages ended.
Max's team received a separate assignment.
They would escort him from the residential square to the exchange gate while controlled opponents attempted to delay them. The opponents carried marked weapons and followed restrictions intended to prevent serious injury.
Max's strength could be used. His dungeon authority could not.
The distinction became obvious at the first barrier.
A weighted frame represented fallen stone across the route. Two members of the elite team prepared to lift it while the others watched the surrounding approaches.
"I can move it." Max said.
The captain allowed him to try.
